What are we even talking about here?
Have we really reached a point where people are seriously discussing the possibility of Aaron Judge being traded?
Certain moves in sports don’t happen, not because they can’t—because, technically, anything is possible in a world where billion-dollar teams make unpredictable decisions—but because the fallout would be so massive that it would shake the entire league.
And yet, here we are, entertaining the idea that Aaron Judge, the Yankees’ heart and soul, the player who carried this franchise through the post-Jeter era, could be on the trading block.
Who started this conversation, and in what world would the Yankees go through with it?
Because if they ever did, it would be an all-out fan revolt, a decision that would go down as one of the most controversial in baseball history.
- Aaron Judge is the face of the New York Yankees, making any trade scenario nearly unthinkable.
- Financial and cultural factors make a trade highly improbable, though a massive return package could tempt the Yankees.
- The Yankees are active in the trade market, but shedding contracts like Marcus Stroman’s is more realistic than moving Judge.
Aaron Judge Isn’t Just a Player—He’s The Player
There are great players in baseball, but then there are the rare ones who define a franchise, and Aaron Judge is undoubtedly one of those players.
Since his debut in 2016, he has dominated with his bat, setting records, winning the American League MVP in 2022, and hitting an incredible 62 home runs that year.
And beyond the numbers, beyond the home runs and the awards, he is the leader in the clubhouse, the captain, and the player the Yankees built their future around.
So, the idea of trading Judge is a shock to anybody who follows the sport.
You don’t trade a player like that unless you are completely tearing down your franchise and starting over, and even then, it would still be considered a mistake.
And for what exactly?
A few young prospects and some payroll relief?
The Yankees have already committed to Judge with a nine-year, $360 million contract that ensures he stays in New York for the long haul.
As one of the highest-paid MLB players, his value goes beyond his performance on the field—he represents the identity of the franchise, the face of the team, and the player fans expect to lead them to championships.
Thus, no trade package in baseball could make up for what the Yankees would lose if they moved Judge.
What Would a Trade Even Look Like?
If the Yankees considered trading Judge for some absurd reason, what kind of deal would it take for them to even think about it?
The return would have to be massive, a trade that only happens once in a generation.
And a team like the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Diego Padres, who have deep farm systems and financial power, might be the only ones capable of putting together a deal big enough to make the Yankees listen.
But even then, what would they have to give up?
Maybe multiple All-Star-caliber players.
Perhaps their top three prospects.
Or even worse, a combination of elite young talent and a superstar in his prime.
Even if a team offered a package like that, would it ever be worth it for the Yankees?
The answer is almost certainly no because when you trade a player like Judge, you’re losing the leader of your team, the face of your franchise, and the player that fans connect with the most.
Marcus Stroman is the Real Trade Candidate
Now, while a Judge trade is nothing more than a wild fantasy, there are some realistic moves the Yankees might make, and one of them involves starting pitcher Marcus Stroman.
Unlike Judge, Stroman is not a long-term fixture in New York, and after a shaky 2024 season, his future with the team is very much in question.
Stroman posted a 4.31 ERA over 154 2/3 innings last season, which isn’t awful, but it’s also not the production the Yankees were hoping for when they signed him to a two-year, $37 million contract.
What stands out is the difference between his home and road performances—at Yankee Stadium, his ERA was a rough 5.31, but on the road, he was significantly better with a 3.09 ERA.
The split suggests he might be a better fit somewhere else, and that’s where the Atlanta Braves come in.
The Braves, always looking to strengthen their rotation, have been named as a potential landing spot for Stroman, as they could use an experienced arm to complement their already strong pitching staff.
Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly suggested that the Yankees’ main goal in moving Stroman isn’t necessarily to get a high-value return—it’s to get rid of his contract.
If the Yankees can offload at least $10 million of his salary, it would give them more flexibility to make other moves, and the Braves might be willing to take him if the financial situation works out.
Could the Yankees Go After Nolan Arenado?
Another name that has been floating around in trade rumors is Nolan Arenado, the longtime St. Louis Cardinals third baseman who has reportedly been on the trading block for months.
Arenado, once considered one of the best all-around third basemen in baseball, has seen his offensive production decline in recent years, with his OPS dropping from .891 in 2022 to .719 in 2024.
At 33 years old, he is still a strong defender, but his contract—$74 million over the next three seasons—has made it difficult for the Cardinals to move him.
The Yankees have been loosely linked to Arenado this offseason, but unless the Cardinals drastically lower their asking price, it’s hard to see New York making a serious push for him.
While he would provide a boost at third base, taking on that contract for a player past his prime isn’t exactly the move the Yankees should be making.
The Yankees’ Future is Still Built Around Judge
At the end of the day, Aaron Judge isn’t going anywhere, no matter how many wild trade rumors pop up.
The Yankees have already made it clear that they are building their team around him. While they might make some moves to improve the roster, those moves will not involve trading away the most important player they have.
Shedding Stroman’s contract makes sense, looking into potential upgrades like Arenado is worth considering, but trading Judge will never happen.
And if it ever did, the Yankees front office better be ready for the kind of fan backlash that would make every bad trade in baseball history look reasonable in comparison.
So, let’s stop with the nonsense and focus on the real issues the Yankees must address.
They need to figure out how to win in October, make sure their pitching holds up in big moments and put the right pieces around Judge to ensure they aren’t wasting his best years.
But they don’t need to trade the one player who makes them worth watching in the first place.
